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Friday, August 31, 2012

The Twentieth arose early this morning, marching at 3:00 A.M. over the Aqueduct Bridge on the Centreville Road and arriving at Fairfax Court House at 8:00 P.M., ending a long forced march of twenty-one hours in a heavy rain. Upon arrival at Fairfax the Twentieth had no relief, as Companies I and K went on picket duty from the approach of Confederate cavalry on the rear flank of the Union army.1

Thursday, August 30, 2012

On Thursday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment disembarked the steamer "Atlantic" at Alexandria and marched along the Little River Turnpike toward Fairfax Court House, making camp at Cloud's Mills for the evening. Expecting to march at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, the Twentieth delayed to await new recruits sent from Washington, D.C. The Twentieth could not accept these recruits, as they had no armaments, and sent them back to Washington. At 5:00 P.M. they began their march toward the Potomac River, continuing their progress until shortly after midnight. At 12:30 A.M. this morning they bivouacked on the road and resumed their march at 5:30 A.M. They reached Fort Marcy by 1:30 P.M and crossed the Potomac at Chain Bridge at 5:00 P.M., where they camped for the evening.

During their march the Twentieth heard heavy artillery fire coming from the direction of Centerville, near Manassas, and became aware that a fierce battle was raging. Union General John Pope, in charge of the Army of Virginia, was furiously fending off a series of Confederate attacks in a conflict later known as the Second Battle of Manassas. General Pope had been in charge of the Army of Virginia since the Seven Days Battles in June. President Abraham Lincoln had become dissatisfied with General George McClellan's leadership during the Seven Days Battles and had organized a new fighting force under the command of General Pope. Lincoln had hoped to squeeze Richmond from two directions, with Pope attacking from the west and McClellan attacking from the east. General Robert E. Lee, anticipating this dual attack, led both Pope and McClellan away from Richmond by driving north toward Washington. Lee's northward move succeeded in dividing Pope's and McClellan's forces and by driving both wings of the Union Army away from Richmond. The Second Battle of Manassas proved to be another Union defeat. Pope's vanquished forces were pushed back to Washington, D.C.1

Monday, August 27, 2012

On Monday the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment boarded an old Collins steamer named "Atlantic" and sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, arriving at Acquia Creek this afternoon at 3:00 P.M. They had expected to disembark at Acquia Creek, but instead they sailed on to Alexandria.1

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Lieutenant Henry Abbott received a letter from his mother concerning the death of Henry's brother, Ned. Although she was grieving deeply, she remained strong in spirit. She wrote, "I have great strength given me to bear this blow. I feel that the dear child is happy -- perfectly happy, & that he will be a guardian angel to us all." She consoled Henry by writing, "He loved you more than I can tell. I think he will always pray for you & hover around you. He thought more of your good that his own, & would willingly have laid down his life to make you happy."1

Friday, August 24, 2012

Lieutenant Henry Abbott received the sad news that his older brother Ned, a captain in the Second Massachusetts Regiment, had been killed on August 9 at Cedar Mountain. In a letter to his father Henry wrote, "Until I got the newspapers & mamma's letter day before yesterday, I thought Ned only wounded ... Today we finished our march & I can answer. It came upon me with terrible force ... I know how awful the blow is to you, for he was the best son you had & was so sure to have been a great man."1

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a brief letter to his father from Newport News. He mentioned that until this morning they believed they would remain at Newport News for at least a week. He wrote, " .. [we] had sent to Fort Monroe for a wagon load of fruit, expecting to make ourselves comfortable here and enjoy the luxuries of the season and the place. What our destination is, we do not know, whether A[c]quia Creek, Alexandria, or elsewhere."1

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Union Army continued their march northward, arriving at Yorktown Wednesday where they camped for the evening. At 6:00 A.M. on Thursday morning the Army resumed their march, covering fifteen miles and arriving at Big Bethel by evening. This morning the Army began their progress at 4:00 A.M., marching in a heavy rain eight miles to Newport News. From here they planned to travel north by steamer along the Chesapeake Bay.1

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Union Army struck camp at Harrison's Landing on Saturday, August 16 to pursue the Confederate Army, nearly two weeks after General George McClellan received orders from President Lincoln to strike camp. General Robert E. Lee ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson north to draw fighting away from Richmond. The Union Army left Harrison's Landing at 8:00 A.M. on Saturday morning, marching about six miles to Charles City. On Sunday the Union soldiers endured an all-day march that covered sixteen miles, making night camp at the mouth of the Chickahominy River. On Monday the Army began their march this morning at 5:30 A.M., crossing the James River at Barrett's Ferry where they enjoyed a bath in the James River and marched another five miles for night camp. This morning the Army struck camp at 7:00 A.M. and marched through the colonial town of Williamsburg, resting briefly before resuming their march. They made camp by nightfall at Fort Magruder.1

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Four officers went home on sick leave during the week. Major Paul Revere, Captain Henry Tremlett, Adjutant Charles Pierson and Captain Charles Cabot returned home due to illness. Adjutant Peirson and Captain Tremlett never rejoined the regiment; upon regaining health, both obtained commissions to the Thirty-Ninth Massachusetts Regiment.1

Sunday, August 12, 2012

In a letter to his father, Doctor Nathan Hayward relayed his beliefs that the regiment would be on the march again soon. He shared the particulars of the recent reconnaissance to Malvern Hill and noted, "We are expecting to move to-day, but in what direction is altogether conjectural." Hayward also noted that, although the overall health of the regiment was good, many were suffering from jaundice.1

Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Twentieth Massachusetts struck camp at Harrison's Landing at seven o'clock this morning, receiving sudden orders on the previous day to march. General George McClellan had received communication from Washington that the Confederates were marching north, and President Lincoln ordered McClellan to strike camp and move northward toward the Potomac River to meet a potential invasion.1

Thursday, August 2, 2012

The Twentieth Massachusetts received the first batch of new recruits since the Seven Days Battles. Thirty volunteers joined the Twentieth today, and many more were expected to follow in the next months.1

Welcome!

This Civil War history blog is dedicated to the outstanding military service of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment and to the memory of my ancestor, Private Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A. Each blog post marks the 150th anniversary of the original event during the Civil War.